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Methods for purification of messenger RNA

a messenger rna and purification method technology, applied in the field of purification methods of messenger rna, can solve the problems of affecting the toxicity and tolerability profile of mrna, affecting the immunostimulatory effect of p, and limiting the number of rna, so as to achieve effective removal of reactants, improve immunostimulatory effect, and alter the toxicity and tolerability p

Active Publication Date: 2018-05-01
TRANSLATE BIO INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention provides improved methods of purifying mRNA that is suitable for administration as a pharmaceutical product based on tangential flow filtration (TFF). Prior to the present invention, RNA purification typically employs spin columns and involves the use of caustic or flammable solvents, such as ethanol, which is undesirable for therapeutic administration and large scale production. Further, the prior art method typically does not allow for the separation of incomplete transcripts known as premature aborts or “shortmers,” which is reported to be highly immunostimulatory and the presence of which may greatly alter the toxicity and tolerability profile of mRNA as active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The present invention is, in part, based on the discovery that tangential flow filtration is surprisingly effective to remove reactants, enzymes, by products, in particular, the shortmers, from mRNA production mixture. As described herein, tangential flow filtration, particularly in combination with a pre-treatment using a denaturing agent, can effectively remove reactants, enzymes and byproducts including prematurely aborted RNA sequences (i.e., shortmers), while still maintaining the integrity of mRNA. More surprisingly, the present inventors have demonstrated that tangential flow filtration can be successfully performed using only aqueous buffers as solvents without using any caustic or flammable solvents. Thus, the present invention provides a more effective, reliable, and safer method of purifying mRNA from large scale manufacturing process therapeutic applications.

Problems solved by technology

Further, the prior art method typically does not allow for the separation of incomplete transcripts known as premature aborts or “shortmers,” which is reported to be highly immunostimulatory and the presence of which may greatly alter the toxicity and tolerability profile of mRNA as active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

Method used

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  • Methods for purification of messenger RNA
  • Methods for purification of messenger RNA
  • Methods for purification of messenger RNA

Examples

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example 1

n and Purification of Messenger RNA (mRNA)

Synthesis of mRNA

[0101]In each of the examples below, the synthesis of mRNA was conducted under complete RNAse-free conditions. All tubes, vials, pipette tips, pipettes, buffers, etc. were required to be nuclease-free, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0102]In the following examples, unless otherwise described, mRNA was synthesized via in-vitro transcription from a linearized DNA template. To produce the desired mRNA pre-cursor (IVT) construct, a mixture of ˜100 ug of linearized DNA, rNTPs (3.33 mM), DTT (10 mM), T7 RNA polymerase, RNAse Inhibitor, Pyrophosphatase and reaction buffer (10×, 800 mM Hepes (pH8.0), 20 mM Spermidine, 250 mM MgCl2, pH 7.7) was prepared with RNase-free water to a final volume of 2.24 mL. The reaction mixture is incubated at 37° C. for a range of time between 20 minutes-120 minutes. Upon completion, the mixture is treated with DNase I for an additional 15 minutes and quenched accordingly.

Addition of 5′ Cap and 3′ ...

example 2

of Purified mRNA

Testing for Presence of Enzymes in Purified mRNA

[0105]Unless otherwise described, standard Coomassie-stained protein gels were performed to determine the presence of any residual reagent enzymes present before and after purifications. In some instances, BCA assays were performed as well.

Assessment of mRNA Integrity Via Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Assays

[0106]Unless otherwise described, messenger RNA size and integrity were assessed via gel electrophoresis. Either self-poured 1.0% agarose gel or Invitrogen E-Gel precast 1.2% agarose gels were employed. Messenger RNA was loaded at 1.0-1.5 ug quantities per well. Upon completion, messenger RNA bands were visualized using ethidium bromide.

In Vitro mRNA Integrity Assays

[0107]Unless otherwise described, in vitro transfections of firefly luciferase mRNA were performed using HEK293T cells. Transfections of one microgram of each mRNA construct were performed in separate wells using lipofectamine. Cells were harvested at selec...

example 3

n and Purification of Firefly Luciferase (FFL) Messenger RNA (mRNA)

[0109]This example illustrates that, according to various embodiments, a combination of tangential flow filtration (TFF) and a denaturing agent may be used according to provided methods to product a highly purified mRNA product. In this example, urea is used as the protein denaturing agent.

[0110]In this example, a five milligram batch of firefly luciferase (FFL) RNA (SEQ ID NO: 1, below) was transcribed via the in vitro methods described above to produce the aforementioned intermediate construct with no cap and no polyA tail. This reaction maintained a total volume of 2.24 mL and was quenched upon completion by an equivalent volume of 10M urea, bringing the final urea concentration to 5M. The resultant solution was incubated for five minutes at room temperature and transferred to the tangential flow filtration (TFF) system reservoir. The sample was diluted to 200 mL with nuclease free water and washed with 1200 mL nu...

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Abstract

The present invention provides, among other things, methods of purifying messenger RNA (mRNA) including the steps of subjecting an impure preparation comprising in vitro synthesized mRNA to a denaturing condition, and purifying the mRNA from the impure preparation from step (a) by tangential flow filtration, wherein the mRNA purified from step (b) is substantially free of prematurely aborted RNA sequences and / or enzyme reagents used in in vitro synthesis.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This patent application is a U.S. National Entry claiming priority to International Application PCT / US2014 / 028441 filed on Mar. 14, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 784,996, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.SEQUENCE LISTING[0002]The present specification makes reference to a Sequence Listing (submitted electronically as a .txt file and named “Sequence Listing.txt” on Feb. 2, 2016). The .txt file was generated on Jan. 15, 2016 and is 13 kb in size. The entire contents of the Sequence Listing are herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Messenger RNA therapy is becoming an increasingly important approach for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Messenger RNA therapy involves administration of messenger RNA (mRNA) into a patient in need of the therapy and production of the protein encoded by the mRNA within the patient bo...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G01N1/34C07H21/00C12N15/10C07H21/02
CPCC12N15/10C12N15/1017C07H21/02A61P43/00
Inventor HEARTLEIN, MICHAELDEROSA, FRANKDIAS, ANUSHAKARVE, SHIRANG
Owner TRANSLATE BIO INC
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